A two-level LED security light includes a power supply unit, a motion sensing unit, a time setting unit, a loading and power control unit, an external control unit, and a lighting-emitting unit. The LED security light is turned on at dusk for generating a first level illumination and turned off at dawn. When the motion sensor detects any intrusion, the LED security light is switched from the first level illumination to a second level illumination for a short duration time to scare away the intruder. After the short duration time, the LED security light returns to the first level illumination for saving energy. The light-emitting unit includes one or a plurality of LEDs. The time setting unit is for managing illumination timing. The external control unit is for setting illumination characteristics of the first level illumination or the second level illumination of the light-emitting unit.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A two-level LED security light, comprising: a light-emitting unit; a loading and power control unit; a light sensing control unit; a motion sensing unit; a power supply unit; and an external control unit, coupled with the loading and power control unit; wherein the light-emitting unit comprises at least one LED; wherein the loading and power control unit comprises a microcontroller electrically coupled with a semiconductor switching device, wherein the semiconductor switching device is electrically connected in series with the power supply unit and the light emitting unit, wherein the microcontroller with program codes outputs a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to a gate electrode of the semiconductor switching device to control a conduction period (T on ) and a cut-off period (T off ) of the semiconductor switching device for delivering different average electric currents from the power supply unit to drive the light-emitting unit for generating different illuminations, wherein the microcontroller controls the semiconductor switching device respectively to have a short conduction period (T on ) and a long conduction period (T on ) such that the light-emitting unit respectively generates a first level and a second level illumination characterized by light intensity and/or color temperature according to the signals received from the light sensing control unit and the motion sensing unit; wherein the external control unit is used in at least one of two setting modes respectively for setting illumination characteristics of one of the first level and the second level illumination; wherein the first setting mode is a manual setting incorporating with the external control unit when the light-emitting unit generates one of the first level and the second level illumination, in which the illumination characteristic of the light-emitting unit is changed directly by operating the external control unit; wherein the second setting mode is a free-running setting, in which the light-emitting unit performs a free-run of one of the first level and the second level illumination by gradually and periodically changing illumination characteristics, wherein the free-run is terminated by operating the external control unit at a time point corresponding to a specific illumination characteristic, such that, following the free-running illumination variation, the illumination characteristics of one of the first level and the second level illumination is set by operating the external control unit at the time point when the light-emitting unit performs the specific illumination characteristic; wherein the light-emitting unit performs one of the first level and the second level illumination characterized by the specific illumination characteristic being set thereof.
2. The two-level LED security light according to claim 1 , wherein the external control unit is a push button, a touch panel, an infrared sensor or a wireless remote control device coupled to a pin of the microcontroller of the loading and power control unit; wherein, when the push button, the touch panel, the infrared sensor or the wireless remote control device is operated, a voltage signal is thereby generated to trigger the microcontroller for the manual setting or the free-running setting of the illumination characteristics.
3. The two-level LED security light according to claim 1 , wherein the external control unit is a voltage divider incorporating with power supply detecting device respectively for manual setting and free-running setting, wherein in manual setting the illumination characteristic is set by a DC voltage generated by tuning the voltage divider; wherein in free-running setting the light-emitting unit performs a free-run of one of the first level and the second level illumination by gradually and periodically changing illumination characteristics, wherein the free-run is terminated by a momentary electric power interruption at a time point corresponding to a specific illumination characteristic for setting the illumination characteristic, in such a way, that following the free-running illumination variation, the illumination characteristic of one of the first level and the second level illumination is selected by turning off a power switch instantly and turning it back on at the time point the light-emitting unit performs the specific illumination characteristic; wherein the power switch is connected with the power supply unit for controlling power on and off, wherein, when instantly turning off the power switch and turning it back on, the electric power interruption is detected by the microcontroller through the power supply detecting device for terminating the free-run.
4. The two-level LED security light according to claim 1 , wherein the light emitting unit comprises a plurality of LEDs, the LEDs have identical or different luminous power and color temperature.
5. A two-level security light control device applicable to AC lighting sources, comprising: a power supply unit; a light sensing control unit; a motion sensing unit; a loading and power control unit; a zero-crossing detection circuit; a phase controller; and an external control unit, coupled with the loading and power control unit; wherein the phase controller is in-series connected to an AC lighting source and an AC power source; wherein the loading and power control unit comprises a microcontroller with program codes to control a conduction period of the phase controller thereby to adjust the average power of the AC lighting source; wherein when an ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is lower than a predetermined value, the AC lighting source is turned on by the loading and power control unit thereby to generate a first level illumination and when the ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is higher than the predetermined value, the AC lighting source is turned off by the loading and power control unit; when an intrusion is detected by the motion sensing unit, the loading and power control unit changes the average power of the AC lighting source and a second level illumination is generated for a predetermined duration, wherein the first level and the second level illumination are characterized by specific light intensity and/or color temperature; wherein the external control unit is used in at least one of two setting modes respectively for setting illumination characteristics of one of the first level and the second level illumination; wherein the first setting mode is a manual setting incorporating with the external control unit when the AC lighting source generates one of the first level and the second level illumination, in which the illumination characteristic of the AC lighting source is changed directly by operating the external control unit; wherein the second setting mode is a free-running setting, in which the AC lighting source performs a free-run of one of the first level and the second level illumination by gradually and periodically changing illumination characteristics, wherein the free-run is terminated by operating the external control unit at a time point corresponding to a specific illumination characteristic, such that, following the free-running illumination variation, the illumination characteristics of one of the first level and the second level illumination is set by operating the external control unit at the time point when the AC lighting source performs the specific illumination characteristic; wherein the AC lighting source performs one of the first level and the second level illumination characterized by the specific illumination characteristic being set thereof.
6. The two-level security light control device according to claim 5 , wherein the external control unit is a push button, a touch panel, an infrared sensor or a wireless remote control device coupled to a pin of the microcontroller of the loading and power control unit; wherein, when the push button, the touch panel, the infrared sensor or the wireless remote control device is operated, a voltage signal is thereby generated to trigger the microcontroller for the manual setting or the free-running setting of the illumination characteristics.
7. The two-level security light control device according to claim 5 , wherein, for the manual setting, the external control unit is a voltage divider comprising a variable resistor, wherein the variable resistor is connected to a pin of the microcontroller in the loading and power control unit; wherein a DC voltage is generated by tuning the variable resistor to manually set illumination characteristics.
8. The two-level security light control device according to claim 5 , wherein, for the free-running setting, the AC lighting source performs a free-run of one of the first level and the second level illumination by gradually and periodically changing illumination characteristics, wherein the free-run is terminated by a momentary electric power interruption at a time point corresponding to a specific illumination characteristic for setting the illumination characteristic, in such a way, that following the free-running illumination variation, the illumination characteristic of one of the first level and the second level illumination is selected by turning off a power switch instantly and turning it back on at the time point the AC lighting source performs the specific illumination characteristic; wherein the power switch is in-series connected with the AC power source and, while turning off the power switch instantly, the electric power interruption is detected by the microcontroller through the zero-crossing detection circuit to trigger the loading and power control unit for terminating the free-run.
9. The two-level security light control device according to claim 5 , wherein the AC lighting source is a LED lamp or a plurality of light-emitting diodes.
10. The two-level security light control device according to claim 5 , wherein the AC lighting source is an incandescent lamp.
11. The two-level security light control device according to claim 5 , wherein the AC lighting source is a fluorescent lamp.
12. A two-level security light control device applicable to AC lighting sources, comprising: a power supply unit; a light sensing control unit; a motion sensing unit; a loading and power control unit; a zero-crossing detection circuit; a plurality of phase controllers; and an external control unit, coupled with the loading and power control unit; wherein the plurality of phase controllers are respectively series-connected to a plurality of alternating current (AC) lighting sources, wherein the pairs of phase controller-AC lighting source are parallel-connected to an AC power source; wherein the loading and power control unit comprises a microcontroller with program codes to respectively control conduction time periods of the phase controllers thereby to respectively adjust the average powers of the AC lighting sources; wherein when an ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is lower than a predetermined value, the AC lighting sources are turned on by the loading and power control unit to generate a first level illumination and when the ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is higher than the predetermined value, the AC lighting sources are turned off; wherein when an intrusion is detected by the motion sensing unit, the loading and power control unit changes the average power of the AC lighting sources to generate a second level illumination for a predetermined duration, wherein the first level and the second level illumination are characterized by specific light intensity and color temperature; wherein the external control unit is used in at least one of two setting modes respectively for setting illumination characteristics of one of the first level and the second level illumination; wherein the first setting mode is a manual setting incorporating with the external control unit when the AC lighting sources generates one of the first level and the second level illumination, in which the illumination characteristics of the AC lighting sources are changed directly by operating the external control unit; wherein the second setting mode is a free-running setting, in which the AC lighting sources perform a free-run of one of the first level and the second level illumination by gradually and periodically changing illumination characteristics, wherein the free-run is terminated by operating the external control unit at a time point corresponding to specific illumination characteristics, such that, following the free-running illumination variation, the illumination characteristics of one of the first level and the second level illumination is set by operating the external control unit at the time point when the AC lighting sources perform the specific illumination characteristics; wherein the AC lighting sources perform one of the first level and the second level illumination characterized by the specific illumination characteristics being set thereof.
13. The two-level security light control device according to claim 12 , wherein the first level illumination is characterized by low light intensity and low color temperature and the second level illumination by high light intensity and high color temperature.
14. The two-level security light control device according to claim 12 , wherein the external control unit outputs control signals to the microcontroller for adjusting the illumination level characteristics of the illumination level of the AC lighting source, wherein the microcontroller memorizes the illumination level characteristics when the external control unit completes setting the first level or the second level illumination.
15. The two-level security light control device according to claim 12 , wherein the second setting mode is a free-running setting in which the AC lighting sources perform a free-run of one of the first level and the second level illumination by gradually and periodically changing illumination characteristics, wherein the free-run is terminated by a momentary electric power interruption at a time point corresponding to a specific illumination characteristic for setting the illumination characteristic, in such a way, that following the free-running illumination variation, the illumination characteristics of one of the first level and the second level illumination are selected by turning off a power switch instantly and turning it back on at the time point the AC lighting sources perform the specific illumination characteristics; wherein the power switch is in-series connected with the AC power source and, while turning off the power switch instantly, the electric power interruption triggers the loading and power control unit through the zero-crossing detection circuit to terminate the free-run.
16. The two-level security light control device according to claim 12 , wherein the plurality of alternating current (AC) lighting sources comprise at least one high color temperature light-emitting diode and one low color temperature light-emitting diode.
17. A two-level LED security light, comprising: a light-emitting unit; a loading and power control unit; a light sensing control unit; a motion sensing unit; a time setting unit; a power supply unit; and an external control unit; wherein the light-emitting unit comprises at least one LED being in-series connected with a semiconductor switching device and the power supply unit; wherein the loading and power control unit comprises a microcontroller electrically coupled with the semiconductor switching device, wherein the microcontroller with program codes outputs a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to a gate electrode of the semiconductor switching device to control a conduction time period (T on ) and a cut-off time period (T off ) of the semiconductor switching device for delivering different average electric currents from the power supply unit to drive the light-emitting unit for generating different illuminations, such that the light-emitting unit is controlled by the loading and power control unit to generate illuminations characterized by illumination levels with specific light intensities according to the signals received from the light sensing control unit and the motion sensing unit; wherein when an ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is lower than a predetermined value, the light-emitting unit is turned on thereby by the loading and power control unit to generate an adjustable level illumination for a first predetermined duration and then turned off or switched to a low level illumination, when an intrusion is detected by the motion sensing unit, the light-emitting unit is turned on by the loading and power control unit to generate a high level illumination for a second predetermined duration and then turned off or switched to a low level illumination until the next intrusion detection; when an ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is higher than the predetermined value, the light-emitting unit is turned off by the loading and power control unit; wherein the time setting unit is used to set the first and the second predetermined duration respectively for the adjustable low level illumination and the adjustable high level illumination; wherein the external control unit is used in at least one of two setting modes for setting illumination characteristics of the adjustable level illumination; wherein the first setting mode is a manual setting, in which the illumination level of the light-emitting unit is set in a preset range by operating the external control unit; wherein the second setting mode is a free-running setting, in which the light-emitting unit performs a free-run of the adjustable level illumination with light intensity gradually and periodically increasing and then decreasing in a preset range to complete a cycle, wherein the free-run is terminated by operating the external control unit at a time point corresponding to a specific light intensity level, such that the light-emitting unit performs the adjustable level illumination constantly with the specific light intensity level being set thereof.
18. A two-level LED security light, comprising: a light-emitting unit; a loading and power control unit; a light sensing control unit; a time setting unit; a power supply unit; and an external control unit; wherein the light-emitting unit comprises at least one LED being in-series connected with a semiconductor switching device and the power supply unit; wherein the loading and power control unit comprises a microcontroller electrically coupled with the semiconductor switching device, wherein the microcontroller with program codes outputs a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to a gate electrode of the semiconductor switching device to control a conduction time period (T on ) and a cut-off time period (T off ) of the semiconductor switching device for delivering different average electric currents from the power supply unit to drive the light-emitting unit for generating different illuminations, such that the light-emitting unit is controlled by the loading and power control unit to generate illuminations characterized by illumination levels with specific light intensities according to the signals received from the light sensing control unit; wherein when an ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is lower than a predetermined value, the light-emitting unit is turned on thereby by the loading and power control unit to generate a high level illumination for a predetermined duration and then switched to generate a low level illumination; when an ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is higher than the predetermined value, the light-emitting unit is turned off by the loading and power control unit; wherein the time setting unit is used for setting the predetermined duration for the high level illumination; wherein the external control unit is used for setting at least one of the low level illumination and the high level illumination in a preset range.
19. A two-level LED security light, comprising: a light-emitting unit; a loading and power control unit; a light sensing control unit; a time setting unit; a power supply unit; and an external control unit; wherein the light-emitting unit comprises at least one LED being in-series connected with a semiconductor switching device and the power supply unit; wherein the loading and power control unit comprises a microcontroller electrically coupled with the semiconductor switching device, wherein the microcontroller with program codes outputs a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to a gate electrode of the semiconductor switching device to control a conduction time period (T on ) and a cut-off time period (T off ) of the semiconductor switching device for delivering different average electric currents from the power supply unit to drive the light-emitting unit for generating different illuminations, such that the light-emitting unit is controlled by the loading and power control unit to generate illuminations characterized by illumination levels with specific light intensities according to the signals received from the light sensing control unit; wherein when an ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is lower than a predetermined value, the light-emitting unit is turned on thereby by the loading and power control unit to generate a high level illumination and then at a clock time point switched to generate a low level illumination; when an ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is higher than the predetermined value, the light-emitting unit is turned off by the loading and power control unit; wherein the time setting unit is used for incorporating with a clock device coupled with the microcontroller for setting the clock time point to begin generation of the low level illumination; wherein the external control unit is used for setting at least one of the low level illumination and the high level illumination in a preset range.
20. A two-level LED security light, comprising: a light sensing control unit; a motion sensing unit; a time setting unit; a loading and power control unit; a light-emitting unit; and an external control unit, coupled with the loading and power control unit; wherein the light-emitting unit comprises a semiconductor switching device being series-connected between a lighting source and a power source; wherein the loading and power control unit comprises a microcontroller with program codes to control the semiconductor switching device thereby to adjust the average power of the lighting source; wherein at dusk when the ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is lower than a predetermined value, the loading and power control unit manages to adjust the average power delivered to the lighting source to generate a high level illumination for a first predetermined duration and then to switch to a low level illumination, when an intrusion is detected by the motion sensing unit, the loading and power control unit increases the average power delivered to the lighting source and a high level illumination is generated for a second predetermined duration and then switched back to the low level illumination; wherein at dawn the ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is higher than the predetermined value, the loading and power control unit manages to turn off the lighting source; wherein the time setting unit is used for setting the first and the second predetermined duration; wherein the external control unit is used for setting at least one of the low level illumination and the high level illumination in a preset range.
21. A two-level LED security light, comprising: a light sensing control unit; a motion sensing unit; a time setting unit; a loading and power control unit; a light-emitting unit; and an external control unit, coupled with the loading and power control unit; wherein the light-emitting unit comprises a semiconductor switching device being series-connected between a lighting source and a power source; wherein the loading and power control unit comprises a microcontroller with program codes to control the semiconductor switching device thereby to adjust the average power of the lighting source; wherein at dusk when the ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is lower than a predetermined value, the loading and power control unit manages to adjust the average power delivered to the lighting source to generate a high level illumination and then at a clock time point to switch to a low level illumination, when an intrusion is detected by the motion sensing unit, the loading and power control unit increases the average power delivered to the lighting source and a high level illumination is generated for a predetermined duration and then switched back to the low level illumination; wherein at dawn the ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is higher than the predetermined value, the loading and power control unit manages to turn off the lighting source; wherein the time setting unit is used respectively for setting the predetermined duration for the high level illumination and incorporating with a clock device coupled with the microcontroller for setting the clock time point to begin generation of the low level illumination; wherein the external control unit is used for setting at least one of the low level illumination and the high level illumination in a preset range.
22. A lighting management device applicable to a lighting load comprising: a loading and power control unit; a power supply unit; and an external control unit, coupled with the loading and power control unit; wherein the loading and power control unit comprises a microcontroller electrically coupled with a semiconductor switching device, wherein the semiconductor switching device is electrically connected in series with the power supply unit and the lighting load, wherein the microcontroller with program codes controls the conduction rate of the semiconductor switching device, wherein the external control unit enables an user to select a desired illumination characteristic during a free running setting process performed by the lighting load, wherein the lighting load operates a free-run of illumination level by gradually and periodically changing the illumination characteristic, wherein the free-run is terminated by operating the external control unit at a time point corresponding to a specific illumination characteristic selected by the user, wherein the microcontroller accordingly interprets the conduction rate of the semiconductor switching device at the time point when the external control unit is operated and the free running is terminated to be the illumination characteristic set for illumination performance, the illumination characteristic is then memorized by the microcontroller for repetitive performance, wherein the illumination characteristic is light intensity, light color temperature or a combination of light intensity and light color temperature.
23. The lighting management device according to claim 22 , wherein the external control unit is a push button, a touch panel, an infrared sensor or a wireless remote control device coupled to a pin of the microcontroller.
24. The lighting management device according to claim 22 , wherein the free run setting is terminated and the illumination characteristic of the lighting load is set by turning off a power switch instantly and turning it back on at the time point the lighting load performs a desired lighting characteristic selected by the user.
25. A free running setting method with an external control unit comprising: selecting a desired illumination characteristic during a free running setting process performed with a lighting load by an external control unit; utilizing the lighting load to operate a free-run of illumination level by gradually and periodically changing the desired illumination characteristic; terminating the free-run by activating the external control unit at a time point corresponding to a specific illumination characteristic selected by an user, wherein a microcontroller is arranged to accordingly interpret a conduction rate of a semiconductor switching device at the time point when the external control unit is operated and the free running is terminated to be an illumination characteristic set for illumination performance, the illumination characteristic set is then memorized by the microcontroller for repetitive performance.
26. The free running setting method with an external control unit according to claim 25 , wherein the free running setting is terminated and the illumination characteristic of the lighting load is set by turning off a power switch instantly and turning it back on at the time point the lighting load performs a desired lighting characteristic selected by the user.
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September 16, 2014
April 26, 2016
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